Therese Carignan

April 29, 2019April 29th, 2019, at age 55, Therese Carignan passed peacefully, surrounded by family and her lifelong friend, Ragan Johnson.

Therese was known for her zest for life, her passion for travelling and for connecting with people from all walks of life and of any age. She was a teacher in every way, who enjoyed sharing her observations and learnings from other countries, cultures, religious traditions and the natural world with any and all. ThereEse valued introspection, quiet walks in the woods, dancing with wild abandon, and kinship with all beings, including animals, insects, plants and planet Earth, who she lovingly referred to as Gaia Sophia. She considered her main purpose in life to lead with her heart and was proud of her unconventional way of moving through the world. Though at times her uncommon approach brought challenge and loss to her, she resolved to appreciate the gifts of, and to grow from, all of her lived experiences.

After being diagnosed with an un-treatable cancer, Therese chose medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to save herself and her loved ones needless suffering. In her own words: “Thank-you all for your love and support around my decision to transition pain-free and peacefully…I passed in peace-what a beautiful gift-I will do my best to pay it forward…”

Courageous and loving to the end, she had an enduring faith that her life was expanding, not ending. Her final wish was to die with a grateful heart. She succeeded in this magnificently.

Therese is survived by siblings Collette, Lise (Ghislain Avoine), Lucien (Angela), Roland (Yvonne) and Gaetane (Humberto Alvarado), mother Marie (George Hurlbut) and nieces/nephews Helena, Bridget, Clark, Courtney, Lindsey, Tonia, Max and Jade, as well as countless friends and relatives from many parts of the world where she travelled and lived. She was pre-deceased by her father, Albert Carignan. Therese will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 4th at the Senior Citizen’s Drop In Center. The time and further details will be announced at a later date.